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"AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY IS AN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF
DISCIPLES AND SCHOLARS WHO SEEK TO ADVANCE THE WORK OF GOD IN THE
WORLD THROUGH ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN LIBERAL ARTS AND PROFESSIONAL
PROGRAMS OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO DEVELOP A
CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE OF TRUTH AND LIFE."
COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS
Course Syllabus: Philosophy 370 (Call# 1671)
Duke 125
Fall 2006
C. Michael Robbins Ph.D.
(909) 338-9698 (no calls after 9 PM)
mrobbins@apu.edu
Course Description.
This course entails a study of the great ancient religious systems of the world,
including ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Canaan, Greece and Rome. It reviews
some of the various ancient religions that have endured into the present world,
including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism,
Judaism, Taoism, and Christianity, Islam, Native American Religions and
Neopaganism.
Course Goals.
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To explore world religions we will “look at how we look:” from the
henotheism of antiquity to Hellenic Euhemerism to interpretatio Graeca
of the Greeks to the view of religions as “pre-logical science” to the
subconscious in the cogitations of Freud to the sociology of Durkheim to
the cosmology quests of Eliade to the post-modern aversion to
comparison at all;
To summarize briefly the origins, doctrines, Scriptures, and rituals of major
living religions;
To explore the world of homo religiosus - ‘religious man’.
To understand & compare religious cosmologies and mythologies;
To profile religious heroes and founders such as Moses, Jesus, Krishna,
Muhammad, Zarathustra, Confucius; Gotama Buddha, Mahavira and
Handsome Lake, and reflect on why their movements took the shape that
they did.
To compare how major living religions answer basically the same
questions from social ethics to theodicy to the nature of the transcendent
to the existence (or not) of an invisible world.
To try and perceive similarities or relationships between religious
universals, such as Torah, Wisdom, Maat, Tao, Dike, Gnosis, Truth, etc.
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Student Learning Focus
 The student will demonstrate independent study ability and discipline;
 The student will demonstrate reading, comprehension, and critical analysis
ability;
 The student will review and restate fundamental characteristics of the
world’s major religions;
 The student will be competent to discuss how most religions deal with
common problems such as suffering;
 The student will be able to discuss the founders and/or the historical and
philosophical origins of these religions;
 The student will be able to discuss each religion’s cultural roots, but
universal appeal;
 The student will better understand their own religious faith in a global
context.
Students with Disabilities
Students in this course who have a disability that might prevent them from fully
demonstrating their abilities should meet with an advisor in the Learning Enrichment
Center as soon as possible to initiate disability verification and discuss
accommodations that may be necessary to ensure full participation in the successful
completion of course requirements.
Academic Integrity Policy
The mission of APU includes cultivating in each student not only the academic skills that are
required for a university degree, but also the characteristics of academic integrity that are integral
to a sound Christian education. It is therefore part of the mission of the university to nurture in
each student a sense of moral responsibility consistent with the biblical teachi9ngs of honesty
and accountability. Furthermore, a breach of academic integrity is viewed not merely as a private
matter between the student and an instructor but rather as an act which is fundamentally
inconsistent with the purpose & mission of the entire university. A complete copy of the
Academic Integrity Policy is available in the Office of Student Life, the Office of the Vice
Provost for Undergraduate Programs, and online.
 Expectations for this course and consequences for violations are consistent with those
outlined in the academic integrity policy.
 Students found guilty of plagiarism or of academic dishonesty will be reported to the
Provost and the Dean of Students, and a memorandum of the plagiarism event will be
placed in the students permanent file in the Provost’s office.
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Required Texts
The World’s Religions, by Huston Smith, 1958, 1991.
Anthology of World Scriptures, by Robert Van Voorst, 1997, 2003 (5th edition).
Coursepack by C. Michael Robbins
Recommended Texts
Black Elk Speaks, John Neihardt, 1932, 1989.
The Idea of the Holy, by Rudolf Otto, 1917, 1958.
The Ancient Mysteries. A Sourcebook, ed. By Marvin Meyer, 1987.
Satan and the Problem of Evil by Gregory Boyd, 2001.
The River of God, by Gregory J. Riley, 2001.
Islam, by Alfred Guillaume, 1954, 1956.
Textual Sources for the Study of Zoroastrianism, by Mary Boyce, 1984.
Textual Sources for the Study of Judaism, by Philip Alexander.
Texts and Traditions by L. Schiffman.
Confucius: The Secular as Sacred, by Herbert Fingarette, 1972.
Native Religions of North America: The power of Visions and Fertility, by Åke Hultkrantz, 1987
The Rivers of Paradise, ed by David Noel Freedman & Michael J McClymond, 2001.
The Treasures of Darkness, by Thorkild Jacobsen, 1976.
Reserved Readings (E-Readings)
“In Comparison a Magic Dwells,” by Jonathan Z. Smith in Imagining Religion: From Babylon to
Jonestown, 1982.
“Methodologies, Comparisons and Truth” by Huston Smith in A Magic Still Dwells edited by
Kimberly Patton and Benjamin Ray, 2000.
“Religious Evolution” Chapter 2 in Beyond Belief: Essays on Religion in a Post-Traditional
World, by Robert Bellah, Harper & Row, 1971.
“Journey to the East: Pantheistic Monism” Chapter 7 in The Universe Next Door by James Sire,
IVP, 1976.
“Introduction” and “The World at War” (Chapter One) from Satan and the Problem of Evil by
Gregory A. Boyd, 2001.
“Globalization, Religion and Evangelicalism” in Crux (June 2002) Vol XXXVIII No.2 by
Donald M. Lewis.
“Circles and the Cross: Reflections on Neo-paganism, Postmodernity, and Celtic Christianity” in
Crux (December 1996) Vol XXXII, No.4, by Loren Wilkinson.
“Global Theology: John Hick,” Chapter 12 in Fortress Introduction to Contemporary Theologies
by Ed. L. Miller & Stanley J. Grenz, 1998.
Coursepack
“Encountering Navaho Religion,” unpublished paper by C. Michael Robbins, Ph.D., 1993.
“The Sermon on the River: The Code of Handsome Lake and the Sermon on the Mount,”
unpublished paper by C. Michael Robbins, Ph.D., 1994.
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Reading Notebook, Lecture Notebook, Grading Scale, Absences, Book
Reports, Late Work.
The Reading Notebook is for readings only. Please use a spiral notebook, or if you type notes,
bind them before handing them in. Notes must be in the order in which readings are assigned.
Notes must be cogent, readable, organized, and in some sort of expanded outline form. All
major points from the readings must be retrievable from the notes. All readings must be
clearly titled and subtitled, all references to readings must include page number. Each reading
must be followed by your own “Reflection” on the material. Reflections on this material are
critical to your grade (if you want an “A” or “B”). Consider the reading and reflecting as a sort
of spiritual journey that you are documenting and giving some literary form. Your grade will
reflect the degree of completion of these things and the depth of perception of your reflections.
Typing preferred but not required.
Due October 19 and Nov 30.
The Lecture Notebook is for lecture notes only. Please use a spiral notebook large enough for
the semester’s notes. It is not optional and will be submitted for a grade. Notes must be dated,
properly titled, cogent and detailed. Typing not required. An outline of lecture talking points will
be put on the board at the beginning of each class. Please copy these points as they are written,
and fill in further material as it is then discussed during lecture and discussion. Due Dec 2.
Absences: Lectures represent the synthesis part of this course. Consequently attendance is
critical, as the treatment of the materials is climacteric and strategic.
Excused absences:
 for sickness (doctor’s note required).
 two absences permitted due to sports, drama, music & other extra-curricular activities for
which you must provide a dated & signed excuse slip from the supervising coach / teacher, or
an email from them to me.
 an e-mail to me on the day of absence.
Book Report: On Black Elk Speaks, or one of the books on the Recommended list.
Length: 4 pages.
Mechanics: 1” margins on all 4 sides; Font: Size 12, Times New Roman; 1 ½ space lines.
Format: Introduction, Summary, Reflection/interaction/critique. Please turn in a final copy, not
a rough draft (i.e. do your own proof-reading).
Due: Dec 9 (last day of class).
Copy: Please give me a copy, as I will not hand them back.
Van Voorst Anthology of World Scriptures
1. Short summary/reflection on EACH individual reading in each chapter.
Due along with Reading Notebook on Oct 21 and Dec 2.
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Course Requirements.
1. Weekly Readings Notebook (60% of grade).
2. Book report. (10% of grade).
3. Lecture Notebook. (Due Dec 2; 30% of grade).
Brief Notes on Recommended Texts
The Idea of the Holy, by Rudolf Otto, 1917, 1958. Pages: 230
A classic in religious philosophy. Otto treats here the sacred or numinious in religion; the sense
of the terror of the Divine, the otherness of the Holy. It is a contemplation of the emotional &
non-rational in religion, whereby we are caught up in awe & reverence as we experience a
mysterium tremendum et fascinosum. Advanced, but worth the time.
The Ancient Mysteries. A Sourcebook. Marvin Meyer, ed. 1987. Pages: 263.
Brief introductions to the Mystery Religions of the Greco-Roman period, along with an
anthology of sacred texts of the mysteries. Highly Recommended.
Islam, by Alfred Guillaume, 1954, 1956. Pages: 200
An excellent discussion of Islam, including chapters on Muhammad, the Quran, the historical
roots of Islam, ancient relations between Islam, Christianity and Judaism, mysticism, philosophy,
and the Islamic Empire. Excellent introduction to Islam, and a good supplement to Smith.
The Treasures of Darkness. A History of Mesopotamian Religion, by Thorkild Jacobsen,
1976. Pages: 238
Most of the religions that we examine in this class lie between 1200 BCE and the Modern
Period. This text by the renowned master of Ancient Mesopotamia discloses Sumerian theology
of the 4th-2nd millennia BCE. For those who are intrigued by and drawn to the rich religious
traditions of Mesopotamia, and are curious regarding the theological parallels between the Epic
of Gilgamesh and the Hebrew Scriptures, this would be a good read. Highly recommended.
Satan and the Problem of Evil by Gregory Boyd, 2001. Pages: 357 (plus Appendices)
Our class has in many ways highlighted the distinctiveness of cosmological dualism, This book
by Boyd, part of which is required reading for the course, is a creative thought-provoking treatise
on the dualism of Christianity as a solution to the problem of evil. Highly recommended.
The River of God, by Gregory J. Riley, 2001. Pages: 237
Riley’s book is a new and ingenious study of the relation of Christianity to the many religious
streams of tradition that preceded it and contributed to it. His study goes far towards explaining
how Christianity was understood and practiced by early Christians. Very simply put, the book is
like a course in Ancient Religion 101, and was described by his wife Susan as “everything you
need to know about everything.” Highly recommended.
The Rivers of Paradise. Moses, Buddha, Confucius, Jesus and Muhammad as Religious
Founders, ed. by David Noel Freedman & Michael J McClymond, 2001. Pages: 681
A collection of essays by specialists on the lives and legacies of these religious founders. Not
easy reading, but very thought provoking and rewarding. For advanced readers. The Chapters are
between 100-120 pages, and I would accept a review of any two of the chapters sufficient for this
assignment.
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Syllabus
Abbreviations:
Books:
AWS=Anthology of World Scriptures (370 pp);
WR=The World’s Religions (391pp);
BES=Black Elk Speaks (274 pp);
Reserve Readings:
RR1: “In Comparison a Magic Dwells” (19pp)
RR2: “Methodologies, Comparisons and Truth” (10pp)
RR3: “Religious Evolution” (26pp)
RR4: “Journey to the East: Pantheistic Monism” (19pp)
RR5: “Introduction” and “The World at War” (37pp)
RR6: “Circles and the Cross: Reflections on Neo-paganism, Postmodernity, and
Celtic Christianity” (15pp)
RR7: “Global Theology: John Hick” (22pp)
Coursepack Readings:
ENR: “Encountering Navaho Religion” (27pp)
SR: “The Sermon on the River” (36pp)
Total Required Reading: @ 1400 pages, or 110 pages / week.
Wk
1,2
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9/ 7, 12, 
14
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3
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9/19, 21 
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4
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9/26, 28
5
10/3, 5
6
10/10,
12
Lecture
What is Religion?
What is Worldview?
Theodicy
Religions in Contact
in History
Comparison
Scriptures
Heroes/Founders
Religious Evolution
Hinduism
 Buddhism, Jainism
 Sikhism
 Catch Up
Rdg
 Syllabus
 RR1
 RR2
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AWS Ch. 1
WR Ch. 1
RR3
AWS Ch. 2
WR Ch. 2
RR4
AWS Ch. 3,4
WR Ch. 3
AWS Ch. 5
Due
Quiz over
Syllabus 9/16
7
7
10/17,
19
8
10/24,
26
9
10/31
11/2
10
11/7, 9
 Confucianism
 AWS Ch. 6
 WR Ch. 4
 Taoism
 AWS Ch. 7,8
 WR Ch. 5
 Zoroastrianism
 AWS Ch. 9
 Judaism &
Christianity
 AWS Ch. 10
 WR Ch. 7
11
11/14,
16
12
11/21
13
11/28,
30
14
12/5, 7
 movie
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 Teacher Evaluations
 Discussion
 Islam
 Native American
Religions
 New Religious
Movements
 New Age Religion
 Pluralism
 Finals Week
AWS Ch. 11
WR Ch. 8
RR5
AWS Ch. 12
WR Ch.6
ENR, SR
WR Ch. 9
 RR6
 RR7
Reading Notebook
Due (10/19)
Reading Notebook
& Lecture
Notebook Due
Book Review Due
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Student Information Sheet
Name: (please print)
Phone #: (Residence)
(Work)
email:
Major:
I am a Sr.___ Jr.___ Soph.___ Fresh.___
What classes in Bible, Religion, and Philosophy have you taken?
What would you like me to know about you?
What religions are you familiar with?